Nouf Bint Ibrahim, 12, was speaking at the inauguration of the World Immunization Week 2012 in Riyadh yesterday.

Deputy Minister for Health Affairs Dr. Mansour Al-Hawasi, Undersecretary to the Ministry of Health for Public Health Dr. Ziad Al-Memish and WHO Resident Representative Dr. Mostafa Tyane were also present at the colorful ceremony held to mark the importance of the week in the Kingdom.

Speaking on behalf of the children in the Kingdom, Nouf thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and interior minister, for the quality care given to the health of children in Saudi Arabia.

“While thanking Health Minister Al-Rabeeah too, for the immense interest shown toward the welfare of the children, I kindly request all parents to treat vaccination as a priority during the childhood of their children,” the young student said.

“We do not like to see children being neglected during this prime period since neglecting vaccinations could lead to eternal health problems in their life,” Nouf said, adding that today’s children will be the future generation and they need to be healthy. She also emphasized that vaccinating children is a social responsibility of every citizen.

Speaking on behalf of the health minister, Al-Hawasi said vaccinations are one of the ministry’s priorities and the minister closely monitors the progress of periodic vaccination programs in the Kingdom.

Al-Hawasi pointed out there is a national committee to review the progress of periodic immunization schedules, and it would suggest what can be added to vaccines both in terms of type, dates, and in line with global trends and in coordination with the World Health Organization.

The deputy minister said the Kingdom had made remarkable achievements in its immunization programs targeting the young population. “We will consolidate this position and work further to improve existing conditions.”

In his brief speech Dr. Mostafa Tyane commended the efforts made under the leadership of King Abdullah in providing the maximum health care services to people in the Kingdom.

Tyane recalled the Kingdom received a certificate from the WHO in 2007 certifying the country as free of polio. The last polio case was detected in 1995 in the Kingdom.

“This was a great achievement and the country has been making more effort to reach its target in immunizing children against various other childhood diseases,” he said, adding that that it had reached a 98 percent target in its vaccination programs in the Kingdom.

“The health care programs provide a favorable climate in the Kingdom to improve the health of young ones and they are a useful investment in human resources, which is a fundamental pillar in the march toward progress and development.”

Speaking to Arab News following the launch of the program, Al-Memish said this is the third consecutive year the Ministry of Health has been carrying out this awareness program on vaccination. “ The effort is part of our cooperation with the WHO and EMRO based in Alexandria to tell people of the importance of vaccination.”

He said awareness programs will be carried out in all health regions and governorates will also take part in this program.

Al-Memish explained the goal of the week is to emphasize the importance of immunization for children and all segments of society in the prevention of infectious diseases.

“We will shortly succeed in the elimination of measles, rubella and mumps and also reduce the rest of vaccine-targeted diseases through this campaign,” Al-Memish added.